Apple Plans to Have Streaming TV Service Ready to Launch by Mid-April

Apple is aiming to have its video streaming service ready for launch in mid-April, reports The Information. The tidbit about Apple's service was shared in a wider piece on Amazon's plans for Amazon Prime Video.

According to the report, Apple has been telling entertainment companies who will have content available through the service to be ready for a launch in mid-April. A release date is said to be planned within a few weeks of the mid-April launch target.

A mid-April launch is in line with previous rumors that have suggested Apple's streaming service could launch early in 2019. The service is believed to feature Apple's own content along with content from third-party companies like HBO and STARZ.

Apple is telling entertainment companies that its streaming video service will be ready for launch by mid-April https://t.co/nsGRb5KgZz

Apple is planning to make the service available through its existing TV app, and at least some of Apple's own content will be provided to Apple users for free.

While the service is said to be launching in the United States first, Apple has ambitious plans to expand it to more than 100 countries during 2019.

Apple has over two dozen original TV shows in the works, many of which have entered the casting phase and are likely close to being filmed, if filming has not already started. Apple has also signed deals for multiple movies and has brought on well-known TV producers like Jason Katims and Justin Lin for exclusive TV shows and movies.

Content runs the gamut from dramas and comedies to children's shows and science fiction. A full list of the projects that Apple has in the works is available in the original content section of our Apple TV roundup.

Top Rated Comments

It's great that Apple is planning on throwing its hat in the streaming service ring, but if I try to watch the same TV show twice on one Apple TV, is there a chance that a software bug could result in me being able to hear the actual production of said TV show even if the producers haven't accepted my request to attend the filming?

Who's asking for this? Seriously, who? I'm a big Apple fan and firmly in their ecosystem, but with Netflix, Prime, Hulu, HBO, YouTube, Disney (soon) and all the rest, do we really need another one? What void are they filling that's not already adequately covered ten times over?

It's great that Apple is planning on throwing its hat in the streaming service ring, but if I try to watch the same TV show twice on one Apple TV, is there a chance that a software bug could result in me being able to hear the actual production of said TV show even if the producers haven't accepted my request to attend the filming?

If it's another on-demand style content provider like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video it has a very high likelihood of failing. This is an industry model that is already quite mature with large customer bases and massive content deals in place. There isn't a lot of room for a new player here. I doubt that people are going to be willing to pay what Apple will charge for the content that they will bring to the table. I doubt even more that people will be willing to switch from their current services. They'd need to target bringing the ENTIRE iTunes catalog of Movies and TV plus original content to streaming with a price no higher than about 14.99 to make anyone even think about it.

On the other hand, if they plan to offer live TV and compete with PS Vue, DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, Philo, etc they could stand to succeed in a big way. This model is in its very infancy and no single provider has found exactly the right mix of content (channels), price, and features. There is a ton of room for growth and this area is just begging for someone to swoop in and do it right.

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